A popular Dumbarton Christmas Fayre returns this Saturday, raising funds for the Scottish Cot Death Trust.
Nicola Collins’ son Jack passed away in October 2011 at the age of just three weeks as a result of cot death, which kills one child every nine days in Scotland.
Since losing Jack, Nicola has dedicated herself to raising funds for the Scottish Cot Death Trust who have supported her and her family in his memory.
This weekend their popular Christmas Fayre at Dumbarton Masonic returns for the first time since the pandemic - with over 20 kind-hearted local businesses selling items on the day.
Doors open at 12 noon with the event running until 4pm.
Nicola said: “We’ve done it for a good few years before, but obviously with the pandemic we couldn’t. So this is our first year of doing it again. We’re hoping for a good turnout.
“We’re so grateful to everyone who has been there from the day it happened right up until now. And for everyone who I know will be there in the future for us.
“Their support and love through it all has meant so much.”
Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) - often known as cot death - is the sudden, unexpected and unexplained death of an apparently healthy baby.
Across the UK, around 200 babies die suddenly and unexpectedly every year.
Most deaths happen during the first six months of a baby's life. Infants born prematurely or with a low birthweight are at greater risk. SIDS also tends to be slightly more common in baby boys.
SIDS usually occurs when a baby is asleep, although it can occasionally happen while they're awake.
Experts believe it occurs at a particular stage in a baby's development and that it affects babies vulnerable to certain environmental stresses.
This vulnerability may be caused by being born prematurely or having a low birthweight, or because of other reasons that have not been identified yet.
To lower the risks of cot death, the NHS recommend:
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Always placing your baby on their back to sleep.
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Placing your baby in the ‘feet to foot’ position – with their feet touching the end of the cot, Moses basket, or pram.
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Keeping your baby's head uncovered – their blanket should be tucked in no higher than their shoulders.
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Letting your baby sleep in a cot or Moses basket in the same room as you for the first six months.
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Using a mattress that's firm, flat, waterproof and in good condition..
